The Alpharetta, GA community is rallying to save The Cooler, a longtime ice rink that has been a cornerstone of local sports for nearly 30 years. Residents, athletes, and supporters are coming together in opposition to plans that would convert the facility into pickleball courts. The Cooler is not just an ice rink—it is a vital gathering place for youth hockey, figure skating, and adult leagues, fostering athletic development and camaraderie (The Cooler, n.d.).
Atlanta Gladiators Stand in Support
Recognizing the importance of preserving The Cooler, members of the Atlanta Gladiators organization have stepped up to voice their support for the community’s efforts. In a recent press release the team acknowledges the rink’s role in fostering hockey’s growth in Georgia and the significant loss its closure would represent. The Gladiators’ Director of Ticket Sales, Trevor Wimmer, emphasized the strong partnership between the team and the Atlanta Fire, highlighting the program’s growth and the passion of its players. Executive Vice President Jared Youngman warned that closing The Cooler would be a major setback for the growth of ice hockey in Georgia (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025).
“Losing this rink would be a step backwards in our attempt to grow the greatest game on Earth in the southern part of the United States,” said Executive Vice President Jared Youngman. “We hope our fans, those in the greater Atlanta area, and everyone involved with our great game see the significance of keeping hockey accessible in the great state of Georgia.” (Atlanta Gladiators, 2025).
Ice Hockey’s Rising Global Presence
In recent years, ice hockey has seen a surge in popularity on the international stage, with more countries investing in the sport and producing competitive talent. Major tournaments like the recently held and hugely popular Four Nations Tournament by the NHL and the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics showcase the growing global reach of hockey, drawing millions of fans and elevating the sport to new heights. The game’s expansion has led to increased participation at the youth level, and facilities like The Cooler play a crucial role in fostering this development. By providing a dedicated space for young athletes to train and compete, rinks like The Cooler contribute to the rising presence of hockey both locally and globally. Losing this facility would not only impact local teams but also hinder the broader momentum of ice hockey’s expansion into non-traditional markets, such as the southern United States.
The Cooler Hockey Program: Developing Young Players
The Cooler Hockey Program provides structured hockey instruction for children ages 4 to 12, offering four skill-based levels tailored to player development. Led by USA Hockey-certified coaches, the program focuses on fundamental skating, stickhandling, and game awareness, ensuring young athletes receive high-quality training from experienced instructors. The proposed conversion of The Cooler into pickleball courts threatens to disrupt the foundation of youth hockey development in the area.
Without access to this facility, young players enrolled in the hockey program would lose a crucial space to develop their skills, practice regularly, and gain early exposure to the sport. The lack of available ice time in the region would make it significantly harder for children to progress through the different skill levels, potentially discouraging participation in hockey altogether. The Cooler has long been a gateway for young athletes to advance into competitive hockey programs, and its loss would be a major setback for the growth of the sport in Alpharetta and beyond.
The Atlanta Fire: A Commitment to Development and Excellence
The Atlanta Fire Youth Hockey Club is equally dedicated to nurturing the next generation of hockey players, providing them with coaching, facilities, and opportunities to advance in the sport. The organization fosters not just skilled athletes but well-rounded individuals, emphasizing values such as hard work, persistence, character, and teamwork (Atlanta Fire Youth Hockey Club, n.d.).
In addition to the Fire, The Cooler is home to the AAHL Adult Hockey League, which boasts over 1,000 members, and the award-winning Atlanta Figure Skating Club (Atlanta Amateur Hockey League, n.d.; Atlanta Figure Skating Club, n.d.). These programs have solidified the facility as a central hub for ice sports in the region.
Atlanta Fire PeeWee Quebec Team
The Atlanta Fire PeeWee Quebec team, which represents Alpharetta in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament, is among the groups that would be deeply affected by the conversion of The Cooler. The team relies on The Cooler as a training facility, providing young athletes with the ice time necessary to develop their skills and compete at a high level. Losing this rink would severely impact their preparation for international competition, disrupting a program that has long given local players the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage. Without The Cooler, the future of the Atlanta Fire Quebec program could be jeopardized, leaving aspiring young hockey players with fewer options to pursue their passion (Atlanta Fire Quebec, n.d.).
Overall Impact of Losing The Cooler
The Cooler has long been a cornerstone of the local skating community, hosting major events like the Atlanta Open and serving as a training ground for countless athletes (Atlanta Figure Skating Club, n.d.). Its closure wouldn’t just affect current skaters and hockey players—it would leave a gaping hole in the region’s ice sports infrastructure.
Unlike the widely accessible pickleball courts, ice rinks are a rare and invaluable asset in the area. The loss of The Cooler would significantly limit opportunities for aspiring hockey players, figure skaters, and recreational skaters, depriving them of a space to develop skills, build camaraderie, and enjoy the thrill of being on the ice. Although facilities like Center Ice Arena in Sandy Springs and Atlanta Ice House in Marietta exist, they are already operating at full capacity. Removing an ice rink of this scale would have lasting consequences for Georgia’s ice sports scene.
A Community Rallies to Save The Cooler
The proposed facility aims to convert the facility to house the Atlanta National Pickleball Club, a health club, and a training center (FOX 5 Atlanta, 2025). However, the community is actively challenging this conversion. Organizations like the Atlanta Fire are seeking alternative solutions to support the growth and development of ice sports in the area.
A petition to preserve the rink has gained significant traction, with skaters, hockey players, and local supporters rallying to save this crucial part of Alpharetta’s sports community (Change.org, 2025).
❄ Ice rinks are rare—pickleball courts are not.
🏒 Support local hockey and ice skating.
📢 Make your voice heard!
References
- Atlanta Amateur Hockey League. (n.d.). Rinks. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.atlantahockey.org/rinks
- Atlanta Figure Skating Club. (n.d.). Club history. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://atlantafsc.com/club-history
- Atlanta Figure Skating Club. (n.d.). 2024 Atlanta Open rink information. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://atlantafsc.com/24atlopen/2024-atlanta-open-rink-information
- Atlanta Fire Youth Hockey Club. (n.d.). Mission & values. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://atlantafirequebec.org
- Atlanta Gladiators. (2025, February 22). Press Release. Statement on the planned conversion of The Cooler. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- Atlanta Ice House. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://atlantaicehouse.com
- Center Ice Arena. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.centericearena.org
- Change.org. (2025). Stop the conversion of The Cooler into pickleball courts. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-conversion-of-the-cooler-into-pickleball-courts
- FOX 5 Atlanta. (2025, February 22). Alpharetta ice skating rink plans to become pickleball facility sparks backlash. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/alpharetta-ice-skating-plans-become-pickleball-facility-sparks-backlash
- The Cooler. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.cooler.com
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